TheFédération Française d'Études et de Sports Sous-Marins (FFESSM) is a French sports federation specialized in recreational and competition underwater sports, likescuba diving andfreediving. It is the maindiver training organization inFrance.
The historical ancestor of the federation was created in 1948 under the name "Federation of societies for underwater fishing and swimming", and merged in 1955 with the "French federation of underwater activities" to become the current organization. It is one of the founding members of theConfédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS, World Confederation of Underwater Activities) created in 1959.
It has 140,000 members, 6,000 instructors, in 2,500 clubs. The federation has a delegation from the FrenchMinistry of Sports to organize and develop scuba diving and related activities nationwide.
In 1948, the organisation was created under the title,Fédération des sociétés de pêche à la nage et d’études sous-marines (FSPNES) (federation of societies for underwater fishing and swimming).
In 1952, FSPNES became theFédération des groupements régionaux de sports sous-marins (FGRSSM) (federation of regional groupings of underwater sports).
In 1953, FGRSSM became theFédération française des activités sous-marines (FFASM) (French federation of underwater activities).
In 1954, FFASM changed its name to theFédération nationale française d’études et de sports sous-marins (FNFESSM) (French national federation of underwater studies and sports) in order to avoid confusion with FASM, a rival organisation with a similar name.
In 1955, FNFESSM and FASM merged to become FFESSM (French federation of underwater studies and sports).[1]
A level-1 diver can dive to a maximum depth of 20 m when under the direct supervision of at least a level-4 diver.
A level-2 diver can dive to a maximum depth of 20 m with other level-2 (minimum) divers, and up to 40 m under the direct supervision of a level-4 diver.
A level-3 diver can dive to a maximum depth of 60 m with other level-3 divers and of 20 m with other level-2 divers.
A level-4 diver ("dive leader") can supervise level-1 and level-2 divers to a maximum depth of respectively 20 and 40 m (as described previously).
A level-5 diver ("diving officer") chooses the diving sites, implements security measures, builds dive teams, and grants authorizations to divers and dive leaders for exploration dives.
The level E1Initiateur is a level II or III diver who also has adiplôme d'initiateur and the Rescue specialty (RIFAP), and can teach to a maximum depth of 6 m.
The level E2 is a level IV diver who also has adiplôme d'initiateur and the Rescue specialty, or an E3 candidate, and can teach to a maximum depth of 20 m.
The level E3Moniteur fédéral 1er degré (MF1) orMoniteur fédéral 1er degré Associé (MF1A) orBrevet d'État d'éducateur sportif 1er degré (BEES1) can teach to a maximum depth of 40 m with air and 40 m with Trimix and is a diving officer for dives from 0–40 m with air/nitrox and 70 m with Trimix.
The level E4Moniteur fédéral 2e degré (MF2) orMoniteur fédéral 2e degré Associé (MF2A) orBrevet d'État d'éducateur sportif 2e degré (BEES2) can teach to a maximum depth of 60 m with air and 80 m with Trimix and is also a diving officer for diver deeper than 40m with air/nitrox and 120 m with Trimix.
The level E5Brevet d'État d'éducateur sportif 3e degré (BEES3) is an honorific level for research and teaching.
